Doctors’ knowledge and practices regarding chronic kidney disease at a tertiary care hospital

Abstract

Background: The complications of chronic kidney disease (CKD) significantly contribute to morbidity and mortality, therefore clinical practice guidelines have been developed to facilitate early detection and treatment. However, given the high prevalence of CKD, many patients with early CKD are seen by non-nephrologists, who need to be aware of CKD complications, screening methods and treatments goals in order to initiate timely therapy and referral.Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted at three campuses of the Ziauddin University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan in 2016. A questionnaire based survey was conducted to assess the knowledge and practices of doctors from various specialties regarding CKD.Results: We performed a questionnaire based survey to assess knowledge and practice patterns in CKD care among 156 doctors. There were 63 male and 50 female respondents. There were 24 attending doctors, 73 post-graduate trainees and 25 house-officers. Our data showed that although CKD risk factors are generally recognized, there is a paucity of knowledge regarding CKD management guidelines and staging of CKD. There is an awareness regarding timely referral to nephrology, but many would still not refer at the appropriate stage. Many also do not use standard equations to calculate Glomerular Filtration rate (GFR) and Creatinine Clearance]. Most do screen for diabetic nephropathy, know about ACE-I/ARBs and provide dietary counseling to CKD patients. The majority do not read medical journals to keep their knowledge up-to-date. Junior doctors (post-graduate trainees and house-officers) fared better than attending doctors in the knowledge and practice parameters.

Knowledge, Attitude and Practices toward Chronic Kidney Disease among care providers in Jimma Town: Cross-sectional study

“…Our study participants often prescribe drugs such as βBlockers, Thiazide Diuretics, and Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE) inhibitors to patients with CKD. Rubeen et al 2009 and many others [37][38][39][40][41][42][43][44][45] have reported the same nding. Dialysis and kidney transplant are the other treatment options for patients with ESKD.…”

Knowledge, attitude, and practices toward chronic kidney disease among care providers in Jimma town:cross-sectional study

“…Our study participants often prescribe drugs such as βBlockers, Thiazide Diuretics, and Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE) inhibitors to patients with CKD. Rubeen et al 2009 and many others [ 32 , 36 – 43 ] have reported the same finding. Dialysis and kidney transplant are the other treatment options for patients with ESKD.…”

Care provider’s knowledge, attitude and practices toward chronic kidney disease in Jimma Town: Cross-sectional study

“…In Ethiopia because of the poor infrastructure, poor laboratory facility and shortage of manpower in the area, physicians frequently use urine and serum creatinine as a means of CKD diagnosis. However, serum creatinine and urine diagnosis may not truly indicate the different stage of CKD, because creatinine level might increases in the blood after high protein ingestions, intense exercise and after taking some drugs such as Cimetidine, Trimethoprim, Pyrimethamine, Salicylates, Phenacemide, Corticosteroids, and Vitamin D derivatives [35,36]. Increasing evidence indicates that the CKD burden is increasing in developing countries.…”